Writing implement



w. l.. HERNE WRITING IMPLEMENT Jgly 2s, 1959 2 Shee'ts-Sheelt A1 'Filed March 4, 1957 um m III w. l.. HERNE WRITING IMPLEMENT July 28, 1959 Filed March 4, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 TQ @No @www \w\ l am. @Vf/404 n.; m in QY nr m# vlam@ s w Q m\\ @Mmmm 7| Patented July 28, 1959 WRITING llVIPLEMlENT William L. Herne, White Plains, N .Y. Application March 4, 1957, Serial No. 643,692 12 Claims. (Cl. 40-19) 'Ihis invention rela-tes to writing implements and more specifically to a novel and improved writing device such as a pen or pencil having changeable indicia or designs visible on the surface of the implement.

One object of the invention resides in the provision of a novel and improved writing implement having a reciprocable element wherein indicia or other information carried by the implement is changed or modified upon reciprocation of said element.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a novel and improved writing implement structure, including among others ball point pens, having an organization and arrangement of elements for displaying information or designs and for modifying the display in the use of the implement.

Still another object of the invention resides in a novel and improved writing implement having a reciprocable structure wherein means are rotated in response to reciprocation of the element to display different messages or designs for advertising and other purposes.

A still further object of the invention resides in the provision of a novel and improved Writing implement having visible indicia that is changed in the normal operation thereof for writing purposes.

The above and other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings forming part of this application.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective ofv one embodiment of a writing implement in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view of the writing implement shown in Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross sectional view of a fragmentary portion of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view the line 4 4 thereof;

Figs. 5 and 6 are side elevations of the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 1-4;

Fig. 7 is a development of the surface of the internal indicia carrying cylinder in the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 1-6;

Figs. 8 and 9 are side elevational views of a modiiied embodiment of the invention;

Fig. l0 is a cross sectional the line 10-10 thereof;

Fig. l1 is a cross sectional view of Fig. 10 taken along the line 11-11 thereof;

Fig. 12 is a development of the cylindrical indicia carrying member in the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 8-11;

Figs. 13 and 14 are side elevational views of a still further embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 15 is a cross sectional view of Fig. 13 taken along the line 15-15 thereof;

Fig. 16 is a cross sectional view of Fig. 15 taken along the line 16-16 thereof;

of Fig. 2 taken along view of Fig. 8 taken along Fig. 17 is a development of the indicia carrying cylindrical means in the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 13-16;

Figs. 18 `and 19 are side elevational views of still `another embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 20 is a development of the indicia carrying cylinder `of the embodiment of Figs. 18 and 19';

Figs. 21 `and 22 are `side elevations of a further embodiment of the invention; vand Fig. 23 is :a development of the cylindrical member used in the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 21 and 22.

The writing implement in accordance with the invention may be in the form of either a pen or a pencil, Ithough for lthe purpose of this description it has been illustrated in the form of a ball point pen.

Ball point pens have attained a fairly high state of development `and provide an excellent writing 4device at a relatively low price and this invention concerns the combination with a ball point pen or other writing implement of a novel and improved arrangement of elements for displaying information in the form of writing or designs that will change when the instrument is operated for the purpose of writing and returned to its `original position or carriage in a pocket and to protect the writing element.

Figs. 1-7 illustrate one embodiment of the invention ras applied to a ball point pen. More specifically the invention comprises an outer shell or housing denoted by the numerals 10 and 11 .which are coupled by screw threads 12 in the assembly of the structure. The housing part 10 has `a tapered end portion 13 having a terminal opening 14 through which the ball 15 of the writing element 16 is extended in order to place the pen in a writing position. Longitudinal motion of the writing element 16 is imparted by a button 17 `and retraction is accomplished by depression of a second button 18. While the buttons 17 and 1S have been shown in this embodiment of the invention it will become evident that any type of operating means may be utilized.

Within the housing or shell 10-11 and surrounding the writing element 16 there is a cylindrical indicia carrying member 19 having ya central opening therein. The opening 20 includes a pair of diametrical slots which extend from the upper or right hand end as shown in Fig. 2 to a point spaced from the other end thereof so as to provide a pair of element retaining shoulders 22. The left hand end of the lcylindrical member 19` further includes a cylindrical extension 23 for retaining one end of a retraction spring 24 as illustrated.

In the assembly of the pencil, cylinder 19 with the spring 24 attached is inserted in the housing part 10 and the element 16 is then inserted into the cylindrical member 19 with the ii'attened portion 16 of the element 16 in alignment with the slots 21. The element 16 is moved inwardly until the flattened portion 16 abuts the shoulders 22. The second housing part or cap 11 is then screwed into place on the housing part 10 to complete the `assembly and the pencil or pen can be operated ill;s the normal manner by operation of the buttons 17 and In this embodiment of the invention the cylindrical member 19 includes a cam slot or channel 25, while the housing part includes a cooperating cam follower pin 26 engaging the slot 25 when in place within the housing part 10. In addition the housing part 10 includes a Window 27 aligned with the cylindrical member 19. With this arrangement as the button 17 is operated to move the point 15 of the writing element 16 through the opening 14 of the housing 10 the cylindrical member 19 will be moved longitudinally and the cooperating slot 25 and pin 26 will impart rotation to the cylindrical member.

Indicia in the form of words or designs are imprinted on the cylinder 19 as shown in the development of the outer surface of the cylinder in. Fig. 7'. For convenience the term Joe Doakes is shown in one position on the cylinder while Ithe name of a company Doalies, inc. is .shown in another position that is displaced angularly and longitudinally relative tothe position of the name l oe Doakes. The position of the indicia on-the cylinder may be observed more clearly in Fig. 3.

In the operation of the device as described above, when the writing element 16is inthe retracted position as shown in Fig. 5 the name Joe Doakes appears in the Window ,27. Upon depression of the button 17, the ycylinder 19 moveslongitudinally and radially .to display the name Doakes, lnc. as shown in Fig. 6i. Upon depression of Vthe button 18 to permit the spring 24 to etleot retraction of the writing element 16 the name loe Doalies will vagain appear in 'the window Z7. While window 27 has been shown in the form of an opening in the housing part 10, it may be in the form of translucent plastic or other material so that the indicia on the cylinder 19 can be observed through the pen housing or shell.

Figs. 8-l2 illustrate a modified embodiment of the invention and like numbers have been used to denote like elements shown in Figs. 1 7, inclusive.

In this embodiment a pin '26 is carried by the cylinder 19 whereas the cam slot 25 is formed in the body or housing part lll. Since the slot 25 is curved in the same manner as the slot 25 rotation will be imparted to the cylinder 19 as it is reciprocated by the writing element 16. Figs. 8 and 9 show the shifting of the indicia or designs as the pen or pencil is operated and the cylinder 19is shown in dotted outline to illustrate the operation thereof. Development of the outer surface of the cylinder, including the position of the pin 26 is shown in Fig. 12.

A further embodiment of the invention is shown in Figs. 13-17, inclusive. In this case the single elongated opening 27 of the previous embodiments of the invention has been changed to provide a plurality of spaced openings 28-31, inclusive. In addition the slot 25 as shown in Fig. 1l has been modified to provide a straight slot 32 which cooperates with the pin 26 on the cylindrical member 19. With this structure the cylindrical member is merely moved longitudinally and is guided in its longitudinal -movernent by the slot 32. The indicia in this form of the invention is in the form of a single row of letters generally denoted by the numeral 33 in Figs. 14 and 17. With this arrangement of letters and with the `writing element retracted as shown in Fig. 13 the word Gene will appear. When the button 17 is depressed to move the writing element 16 into. the writing position the word lose will appear. While only two four letter words are shown in connection with this embodiment of the invention, it is quite evident that words having larger numbers of letters may also be employed.

The embodiment of the invention shown in. Figs. 13 and 14 is readily adaptable to a modilied arrangement of indicia or designs as illustrated in Figs. 18 and 19. In this embodiment the housing part 1t) is provided with a radialwindow 3d of transparent plastic or the like .and the indicia whether they be letters or numbers are displayed about the surface of the cylinder as shown in Fig. 20. For the purposes of illustration when the writing element 16 is in the retracted position as shown in Fig. 18-the series of numbers 35 will appear in the window, while when the element is in the extended position the term radar or other desired series of letters 36 will appear. While it may be desirable in the embodiment of the invention `shown in Figs. 18 and 19 to include the pin Z6 and slot 25', with the use of a window 34 extending completely around the body the utilization of the pin and slot is not necessary,

Figs. .2l-23 show a modiied embodiment of the invention which is generally along the lines of that shown in Figs. 13 and 14. In this case the '.body or housing 1t) includes in addition to the spaced openings 28-31 a second series of openings 28 through 31', inclusive for displaying two sets of indicia simultaneously. Thus when the writing element 16 is retracted the name John together with the numbers l, 3, 5 and 7 appear in the openings. When the writing element is extended as shown in Fig. 22 the name Mary and the numbers 8642 are simultaneously displayed. The arrangement of the letters and the numbers for the attainment of this end is shown in Fig. 23.

While several embodiments of the invention have been shown and described as applied to a spring operated ball point pen it is to be understood that other types of pens or pencils having reciprocal writing elements may be used in gravity operated implements. Gravity operated pens for instance may be used efectively in connection with the embodiment shown in Figs. 18 and 19 in which case the cylinder 19 would be carried by the writingeelement or limited in its longitudinal movement.

The term -window `as used in the claims is intended to comprehend an opening formed into the body of the pen or pencil as well as a transparent portion of the body for the purpose of viewing the cylinder 19. In addition the term Vindicia is intended to comprehend any lettering, numbers, `designs and the like.

While only certain embodiments of the invention have been shown and described it is to be understood that modifications, alterations and changes may be made without departing from the true scope and spirit of the invention as defined by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A writing implement comprising an elongated outer housing, a writing element reciprocably mounted in said housing and movable to one position with a portion extending from Vone end of the housing and to another .position position wholly within said housing, a cylindrical indicia carrying member slidably mounted in said housing ,and surrounding said element, a spring coaxially carried by said cylindrical member and extending therefrom, said spring engaging said housing, cooperating means between said element annd cylindrical member, means for moving said element in said one direction for longitudinally displacing said member and compressing said spring, said spring functioning to return said member to said other position and means in said housing for viewing said indicia carrying members.

2. A writing implement according to claim :l wherein said mem-ber and housing include interengaging means for angularly displacing said member upon longitudinal displacement thereof.

3. A writing implement according to claim 2 wherein said interengaging means comprises a cam slot and cam follower.

4. A writing implement comprising an elongated outer shell including at least one opening therein, a reciprocable writing element within said shell movable to and from a writing position, indicia carrying means within `said shell at least partially surrounding said writing element, cooperating means on said writing element and said indicia carrying means releasably engaging said element with said indicia carrying means for moving said indicia carrying means in response to reciprocation of the writing element to display certain indicia through said opening with the element in one position and another set of .indicia with the element in another position and yfacilitate replacement of said writing element.

5. A writing implement according to claim 4 including means for producing angular motion of said indicia carrying means in response to reciprocation of said writing element.

6. A writing implement according to claim 4 wherein said ,cooperating means produces longitudinal motion of the indicia carrying means in response to reciprocation of said writing element.

7. A Writing implement comprising tubular housing means having at least one opening therein, an elongated reciprocable `writing device within said housing means, tubular indicia carrying means within said housing means and aligned with said opening, means on said writing device engaging said tubular indicia carrying means to effect movement of the tubular indicia carrying means in response to reciprocation of said writing device, and cooperating means carried by said housing means and said tubular indicia carrying means for guiding said tubular indicia carrying means through a predetermined path during reciprocation of the writing device.

8. A writing implement according to claim 7 wherein said cooperating means comprises a pin and cooperating pin receiving channel.

9. A writing implement according to claim 8 wherein said channel is curved to impart angular motion to the cylindrical means.

10. A Writing implement according to claim 8 wherein said opening is elongated and extends lengthwise of said housing means.

111. A writing implement according to claim 8 wherein said housing means includes a plurality of spaced openings disposed longitudinally of the housing means.

12. A writing implement according to claim 8 wherein said housing means includes a plurality of spaced openings disposed about the periphery of said housing means.

References Cited in the ile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,600,099 De Jongh Sept. 14, 1926 2,264,194 Wuestman Nov. 25, 1941 2,347,144 Wilson Apr. 18, 1944 2,736,959 Simon et al. Mar. 6, 1956 

